National Republican., 1887-08-11
A True Story of True Love.

l0ld orchard Letter to Boston Herald.l
Among the habitues of the beach who
have returned is Mrs. r. M. Thompson, OF
New York. Mrs. Thompson has always
been one OF the social leaders here, and she
has always made things very bright aud
livery. This year, however, she is dressed
in deep black, and she is hardly ever seen
out, except attended bya nurse girl with
baby carriage, lnxuriously appointed, in
which is lovely baby, one of the dantiest
1t is Mrs. Thompson's little orphaned
grandchild, the child Of her eldest
son and his wife, the beautiful and
accomplished daughter OF Senator Murphy,
of New York The story OF this bsby's
parents is full OF romance and pathos, and
is well worth the telling. Last summer Mr..
Thompson was called suddenly home by the
illness OF his son In Paris, and although a
few days later more hopeful news came over
the cable, yet II was not long before Mr..
Thompson came home, bringing with him
the body Of the son and the bereaved young
wife, who soon after followed, leaving this
bit of baby and one little daughter as a
legacy to the broken-hearted parents. The
affection CT this couple had been lifelong.
gether; little later they were partners
at dancing school and at children's
parties. He was manly little fellow, aud
| and she lovely child. When they were 10
| years old he led his little sweetheart In to
his mother, and grayely announced that
| they were engaged, and that Amelia's
mother had given her consent. The parents
treated 1t as a huge joke, but the little pair
were quite In earnest, and when at ID he
was through college he married his play
mate, who was then 16. Taking the foreign
business OF his father's house he, and his
bride went to live In Paris. They were lit
| orally children, q perfect pair of babies In
| the world, and everybody who knew them
in the gay French capital wondered at their
| youth and beauty and admired their devo.
| tion. A little girl came to them by and
by, and those who used to see this
| youthful mother with her baby said 1t
was like a child playing with doll,
| she was so girlish herself. Last summer
| the young husband received an injury
which resulted In his death. The little wife
was heartbroken and came home to her
fathers house to give birth to this baby and
then die. Every effort was made to save
Her whole desire was to go to her husband.
Her father begged her to live for his sake,
but she only said; "No; love you, papa,
but / want Robert, and cannot stay away
from him." Day by day she grew weaker,
and, although there was no trace of disease
about her, they saw that she was simply let
ting go on life and slipping away from tn sm.
| There was no pain, no suffering; it was just
fading away. One day the doctor said to
the stricken father; sit is only question
| Of hours" She heard him, although 1t
was not intended that she should, and when
| the physician went away she turned to her
father, her face radiant with happiness.
"Papa,n she said, ~ want you to have
Marie [her little daughter and she will
| take my place TO you; aud, Mamma Thomp-
son, want you TO have Robbie, for he will
take the place of the Robbie you gave me.
You will not miss us so much because you
have our little children. i would like to
have stayed with you myself II | could,
but / can't stay away from my husband;
he wants me more than you do" That
was her good-by, and little later she
passed peacefully away, happy In the firm
faith that she was going to Robert. The
baby; born In the midst Of all this sorrow,
Is as Joyous and happy as possible. Ii
seems to be veritable bit OF sunshine sent
into the gloom OF the hearts that re-
celved him. Is 1t strange that, with this
romantic story back of him, this baby
should be the center Of attraction, and that
every one who comes In contact with him
should feel constrained to give him bit of
genuine heart love for the sake OF those
who have gone and left him hereY His
grandmamma is devoted tn hi M and is his
most ardent lover and willing slave. No
body but herself is allowed to bathe or dress
him, and when he is awake he is always
with her. She says that he is dearer to her
than any other child has ever been, for she
has to love him for herself and his mother,
too.